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The Entrance of Syr Wyngvar


For those readers unfamiliar with The Society for Creative Anachronism, this organization, dedicated to recreating the culture of the Middle Ages & Renaissance, divides its chapters into areas called Kingdoms. Each Kingdom is "ruled" by a King who is chosen by right of arms during combat competitions (called "tourneys"). In the Kingdom of AEthelmearc, where this feast was being held, the King at the time was a fine gentleman who called himself Yngvar the Dismal. In keeping with the instructions in the original recipe to decorate the Coqz Heaumez in honor of the lords present, our Helmeted Cock wore the colors of AEthelmearc & carried a shield that bore its coat-of-arms. In addition, to add to the merriment and to compliment King Yngvar, the Coqz Heaumez was dubbed "Syr Wyngvar" (at the witty suggestion of Sue Wensel) and wore the King's coat-of-arms on his red tabard. As the Coqz Heaumez was brought into the hall, a herald cried out "Announcing the entrance of Syr Wyngvar!" His Grace seemed quite pleased with this fowl facsimile.

Syr Wyngvar on Display

Syr Wyngvar was placed on display for two hours, then with a great cry to everyone present, I announced that those who wished to eat him, should, as I darn well couldn't take the thing home with me! (It would have scared my cat.) Within minutes the Coqz Heaumez was consumed, and all that was left was skin & bones. But, that was not the final end of Syr Wyngvar and his noble steed Piggiekins; the heads of both creatures were placed on sticks by two happy fools, who paraded them about the hall, much to the amusement of everyone present. A fitting end for a Helmeted Cock!

A Fitting End!

Thanks and appreciation for the preparation of a Helmeted Cock go to Darell McCormick Jr., Sue Wensel, Stephen Vandevander, Glenda Cockrum, Scott Hofer, and Michael "Ty" Clifford, all members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.

Additonal thanks go to Darell McCormick Sr., and the employees of McConnell's Farm Market and Greenburg's Kosher Poultry.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Scully, Terence. The Viandier of Taillevent. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press, 1988.

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Coqz Heaumez - A Helmeted Cock is © 2000 James L. Matterer jlmatterer@godecookery.com

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